Governor Maura Healey Signs into Law ‘An Act Regarding Free Expression’
Governor Healey with the newly signed “An Act Regarding Free Expression” at the Franklin Public Library in Franklin, MA, on Aug. 10, 2026.
Mass Freedom to Read Celebrates Governor Maura Healey’s Signing into Law of Freedom to Read Bill
‘An Act Regarding Free Expression’ protects librarians and educators from harassment for doing their jobs, affirms students’ right to read, and protects authors, creators, booksellers, and publishers from economic harm due to book bans and censorship
In a victory for free speech, on Aug. 10, 2026, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey signed into law legislation dedicated to protecting the right to access books in Massachusetts libraries. Mass Freedom to Read, a coalition of local organizations and national partners dedicated to fighting censorship and preventing book banning, worked closely with advocates in the Massachusetts State House and Senate to pass ‘An Act Regarding Free Expression’ and celebrates this hard-won victory against book bans.
A powerful rejection of the growing attacks on the freedom to read across the country, and a response to the swell of book bans and challenges in Massachusetts, this legislation reflects the hard work and dedicated efforts from the parents, families, teachers, librarians, authors, publishing and nonprofit workers, and legislators who have come together for the past three years to push this bill forward to prevent book bans, and to champion the importance of books and reading in our Commonwealth.
Carol Rose, Executive Director, the ACLU of Massachusetts says, “Politically motivated book challenges are dangerous acts of censorship that harm us all. This new law builds a firewall against such cynical acts, protecting students’ freedom to read and learn and respecting the expertise of professional educators and librarians. All students should have access to a diverse collection of materials, reflecting a wide range of experiences, identities, and challenges. This promotes free expression and helps our society build tolerance, empathy, and understanding. We thank Gov. Healey for signing this law, and we thank the Speaker and Senate President, Sens. Julian Cyr, Jacob Oliveira, and Paul Mark, and Reps. John Moran, Adam Scanlon, and Sean Garballey for championing this issue.”
“Greater Boston PFLAG has advocated for S.2726 because our families deserve schools where every child can find themselves in a book—we thank Governor Healey for signing it into law,” says Nina Selvaggio, Executive Director, Greater Boston PFLAG
Beth Ineson, Executive Director of the New England Independent Booksellers Association, says, “Independent bookstores are often the first place that young people discover the magic of reading, and censorship of any kind has no place in this process. On behalf of our member stores in Massachusetts, the New England Independent Booksellers Association stands with our regional and national partners in supporting ‘An Act Regarding Free Expression.’”
“Governor Healey’s signing of the Freedom to Read bill is a victory for readers, authors, educators, librarians, and everyone who believes in the power of ideas. Massachusetts has long been a beacon for intellectual freedom, and today's action reinforces that proud tradition. Beacon Press has been privileged to call Massachusetts home for nearly 175 years. We believe that the open exchange of ideas is fundamental to a healthy democracy, and we publish many of the books that are challenged or banned. This law sends a clear message that the Commonwealth will continue to protect the freedom to read and the people who make that freedom possible. I want to thank Governor Healey, my colleagues at Beacon Press, and the members of the Massachusetts Freedom to Read Coalition for the tireless efforts to ensure that every reader has access to a broad range of ideas and perspectives,” says Gayatri Patnaik, Director of Beacon Press.
“Massachusetts Authors Against Book Bans is proud to stand alongside all members of the Mass Freedom to Read coalition in celebrating the historic passage of An Act Regarding Free Expression, which protects schools and libraries against censorship and empowers local community members and authors to challenge unconstitutional book bans. As the creators of books that are challenged and removed from their intended audience, we know firsthand the negative economic and creative impact of book bans, and are delighted to celebrate this victory for the freedom to read. We thank our Massachusetts legislators and Governor Healey for supporting our freedom of expression in the Commonwealth,” says Massachusetts Authors Against Book Bans Co-Leader Michelle Cusolito.
Governor Healey with authors, many of whose books have been banned in Massachusetts and across the U.S. Front row L to R: Heidi Stemple, Grace Lin, Malinda Lo, Governor Maura Healey, Dana Alison Levy, Michelle Cusolito, Federico Erebia, Senator Julian Cyr. Back row L to R: Jarrett Krosoczka, Mike Curato, Sarah Brannen, Crystal Maldonado, Nicholas LaRue, Cheryl Davis (Authors Guild), Rep. John Moran.
Nora Blake, Co-Chair of the Legislative Committee of the Massachusetts Library Association says, “This legislation is a win for readers, education, and our robust library system. It reaffirms the Commonwealth’s longstanding commitment to freedom of speech and the value of individuals deciding what is best for themselves and their own families. Importantly, this bill does not deter a parent’s right to decide what their own child reads. It simply ensures political agendas will not dictate what is available to every child in public schools and libraries. Thank you to the librarians and library workers who have been on the front lines of this issue for years; who in the face of words of hate, harassment, and threats, tirelessly defended our right to read. They testified, developed inclusive policies, and supported each other and patrons who felt attacked. This legislation allows them to do their jobs without fear of retaliation or violence. We thank the legislature, especially Senators Julian Cyr and Jake Oliveira and Representatives Sean Garballey, John Moran, Aaron Saunders, and Adam Scanlon.”
Coalition members who worked to pass this vital legislation include American Booksellers for Free Expression, Massachusetts Authors Against Book Bans, Authors Against Book Bans, The Authors Guild, Beacon Press, Boston Comic Arts Foundation, Candlewick Press, Charlesbridge Publishing,
Greater Boston PFLAG, Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Youth, Massachusetts Library Association, Nosy Crow, PEN America, Penguin Random House, Skinner House Books, We Need Diverse Books, and Wondermore.
“The Authors Guild applauds the State of Massachusetts for enacting legislation to protect school children’s access to books, and authors’ ability and right to be read by their desired audience. The current race to take books that young people want to read out of their hands robs them of knowledge, the ability to empathize with and understand a diversity of voices and to think critically, and even the love of reading. We entreat other states to do right by our students and future society and help prepare them for the multifaceted, diverse, complex world they will be entering,” says Cheryl L. Davis, General Counsel of The Authors Guild.
While ‘An Act Regarding Free Expression’ represents a major step forward in Massachusetts, the fight for free speech can be won only when everyone has equal access to books. Today in Washington, federal bill H. R. 7661 threatens to empower legislators to make decisions about what books are available to students and would widen book banning nationally. You can contact your representative to urge them to vote no on this dangerous bill by using this form at PEN America: https://act.pen.org/a/take-action-hr-7661. Join Mass Freedom to Read, alongside our local and national partner organizations, in continuing the fight against censorship.
About Mass Freedom to Read
Mass Freedom to Read is a coalition of Massachusetts parents and readers, authors and creators, libraries, booksellers, and publishers. We believe that freedom of expression, including the freedom to read, is a fundamental American right, protected by the First Amendment. Learn more at massfreedomtoread.org.